Leaders from Ascension joined local officials in Kansas City, Missouri, Friday to celebrate the official opening of the Kansas City Assessment and Triage Center, an innovative facility designed to address behavioral health concerns in the region.
Through a partnership with the city, Ascension will contribute $20 million over 10 years to the center, continuing the national health ministry's more than 100-year legacy of serving the Kansas City community.
"We are pleased to be a partner in the development of the Assessment and Triage Center to improve behavioral health services for the Kansas City community," said Nick Ragone, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer of Ascension. "This effort complements Ascension's goals of developing a national behavioral health strategy focused on integrating behavioral health initiatives into population health.
"We consider it a privilege to partner with city, county and state leaders to demonstrate our Mission and our commitment to provide holistic care that treats the whole person – body, mind and spirit – and improve behavioral health services in the Kansas City community."
"We know that mental illness creates a burden on society and can have devastating outcomes for families and communities," said Patricia A. Maryland, Dr.PH, President, Healthcare Operations and Chief Operating Officer, Ascension Healthcare. "We know that behavioral health issues impact physical as well as mental well-being, and often contribute to an increased cost of care for patients receiving other medical services. Our participation in this center is an example of our commitment to the communities we are privileged to serve."
The new 24-hour center will divert persons experiencing a behavioral health crisis away from jails and emergency rooms, offering a safe place where they can be assessed, stabilized and referred to behavioral health outpatient or residential services, if necessary.
Both the Kansas City Police Department and area hospital emergency rooms can refer patients to the center.
Read more about the effort in the Kansas City Business Journal.
